Dates: November 27 – December 8, 2027
This program is linked to the expedition to Cyrenaica from December 9 to 12, 2027

Duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Number of participants: 6 – 12

Cost per person:

• 3 650 USD for 11 – 12 participants,
• 3 850 USD for 9 – 10 participants,
• 4 190 USD for 6 – 8 participants.

10% early booking discount (in case you book before May 27, 2027)
 
Everything is included (including domestic flight and full board meals), except for:

• international flight to Tripoli roundtrip,
• international medical insurance,
• Libya visa (electronic visa to be obtained at 70 USD. Cost may change).

Estimated cost of international flight Moscow – Tripoli – Moscow: from 800 USD (to be purchased on your own. We consult).
Estimated cost of international flight Cairo – Tripoli – Cairo: from USD 340 (We can purchase upon your request).
Estimated cost of international flight Tunis – Tripoli – Tunis: from USD 300 (We can purchase upon your request).
Estimated cost of international flight Istanbul – Tripoli – Istanbul: from 500 USD (We can purchase upon your request).

Single supplement: 380 USD per person (it is provided in hotels throughout the entire itinerary. The single accommodation in tents is provided by default).



TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Libya

Day 1. November 27, 2027 (Saturday). TRIPOLI — SABRATHA — TRIPOLI (160 km, 3 hours driving)

Arrival in Tripoli, capital of Libya, before 10:00 pm. The guide will meet us and assist at Mitiga airport. Transfer to the city and check in at the hotel and lunch.
Then head west of Tripoli (80 km, 1.5 hours driving) to Sabratha, a fantastic historical city that dates back to 500 BC. This place, nowadays acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was used by Phoenicians as a port and trading post. Explore the peculiar Phoenician temple, as well as Roman temples, city walls, baths with ancient mosaic and of course Sabratha theatre — one more Libyan masterpiece! For sure, the most popular site in Sabratha, this theatre preserves its 3-storey portal with elaborative bas reliefs and engravings.
After discovering this Libyan landmark, drive back to the capital.
Dinner in Al Walema Sea Food restaurant on your own to choose any fish or sea food you prefer.
Overnight in Cleopatra Hotel 4* in Tripoli.

Meals included: lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Cleopatra Hotel 4*

* Recommended flights to Tripoli:
— EgyptAir from Cairo, departure from Cairo on November 27 at 7:50 am, arrival in Tripoli on November 27 at 9:45 am,
— Turkish Airlines from Istanbul, departure from Istanbul on November 27 at 7:40 am, arrival in Tripoli on November 27 at 9:40 am,
— any flight arriving in Tripoli no later than 10 a.m. on November 27.


Day 2. November 28, 2027 (Sunday). TRIPOLI — UBARI (80 km, 1.5 hours driving)

Step back in time with an immersion in the Old City of Tripoli. Enter through the historic gates to discover a labyrinth of alleys and Ottoman-era mosques, its colonial Mediterranean architecture and beautiful Italian streets. Having lunch in the restaurant, then we proceed to Medina, the heart of the city, where some tiny colorful streets may resemble backstreets of Florence or even central part of Candelaria in Colombian Bogota. Of course, with its oriental features. We explore the old quarters linked to the Main Square and Marcus Aurelius Arch of Roman times. Visit Red Castle Museum (or National Museum, if the government decides to reopen it).
Transfer to the airport ot Tripoli for the domestic flight to Ubari (about 1 hour) in Sahara.
Transfer to Qamar Al-Sahra Resort (some 80 km, 1.5 hours driving) in the desert.
Overnight at resort.

* Flight to Ubari Airport is planned. In case of any changes in flights or operational conditions, we can use Sabha Airport as an alternative for arrival or departure.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Qamar Al-Sahra Resort


Day 3. November 29, 2027 (Monday). UBARI LAKES (350 – 400 km)

Experience the crown jewels of the Sahara – the Ubari Lakes. Navigate massive dunes to reach Gabraaun lake, a stunning deep-blue lake fringed by palms and the ruins of an abandoned village.
Visit also Mandara lake and lake Umm Al-Maa. Relaxing and swimming in the lakes.
Folklore of Touareg people in full dress at sunset.
Overnight in the desert camp.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: tents in the desert camp


Day 4. November 30, 2027 (Tuesday). UBARI – AL AWAYNAT – JARMAH – MAGHIDET (150 – 200 km)

Drive south through a landscape of shifting sands and towering basalt, reaching Al Awaynat, the small city in the desert inhabited by Touareg people.
Off-road desert drive through the sand dunes and remote treks.
Leave the mountains behind and visit Jarmah, the lost capital of the Garamantes, a powerful Saharan kingdom that flourished over 2000 years ago. The visible remnants are limited, so it will not take much time.
We will reach Maghidet – very special place, a getaway to Tadrart Acacus, sometimes even not less impressive that Acacus itself.
Overnight in the desert camp.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: tents in the desert camp


Day 5. December 1, 2027 (Wednesday). MAGHIDET – TADRART ACACUS (120 – 150 km)

Continue desert drive of 120–150 km, before we enter Acacus region.
Overnight in the desert camp.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: tents in the desert camp


Days 6 – 7. December 2 – 3, 2027 (Thursday – Friday). TADRART ACACUS (100 – 160 km)

Spend 2 full days exploring the Tadrart Acacus, one of the most surreal landscapes on Earth. Discover thousands of years of human history through vibrant cave paintings and rock engravings.
This region is a part of Sahara Desert with very beautiful mountains called Tadrart Akakus, or Acacus Mountains, situated among the border with Algeria, among the dunes. The area has a particularly rich array of prehistoric rock art and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 because of the importance of these paintings and carvings. The paintings date from 12000 BCE to 100 CE and reflect cultural and natural changes in the area. Tadrart Acacus is the natural continuation of famous amazing plateau of Tadrart Rouge in south-east Algeria, but much less visited, rougher and probably even more smashing.
We will explore sand dunes, lakes, bizarre rock formations, rock arches, gorges, wadis and petroglyphs (making some 50–80 km each of two days).
We may meet some nomadic people staying in the temporary dwellings.
Overnights in the desert camp.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: tents in the desert camp


Day 8. December 4, 2027 (Saturday). TADRART ACACUS – UBARI (350 – 400 km)

Conclude our exploration of the Tadrart Acacus, and we drive north through a landscape of shifting sands and towering basalt. Return drive of about 350–400 km.
Arrival and overnight at resort Qamar Al-Sahra Resort.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Qamar Al-Sahra Resort


Day 9. December 5, 2027 (Sunday). UBARI – GHADAMES (735 km, 11 – 12 hours driving)

After breakfast in our resort, farewell to the Fezzan region and embark on a spectacular cross-desert expedition by bus to the westernmost part of Libya, to Ghadames.
All day driving crossing Sahara, and late arrival in Ghadames – an ancient caravan center situated at the edge of the Sahara near the borders of Algeria and Tunisia. This Berber town of unique architecture, palm groves, and gardens is an oasis that forms part of the sub-region of Gharian. It offers the traveler the warm hospitality of the Berber people (actually Ghadames people even speaking their own Ghadames language!) and a unique perspective of day-to-day life that has not changed for centuries.
Traditional dinner in local restaurant and overnight in beautiful hotel Dar Ghadames 4* (the new name is Winzric Hotel) once built by Italians in the old Ghadames style.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: hotel Dar Ghadames 4*


Day 10. December 6, 2027 (Monday). GHADAMES — SAHARA SAND DUNES — GHADAMES (35 km)

After breakfast, explore Ghadames and its old town, wandering through its unique covered streets and painted Berber homes.
We will discover unique houses built of mud, limestone, gypsum and palm tree trunks in the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique design keeps the houses cool during hot days and warm during cold nights. Allegedly founded 12000 years ago, this city remembers all historical layers: Phoenicians, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Ottoman and Italian.
There is no any other city same as Ghadames: absolutely unique masterpiece of Sudanese style adobe architecture which differs from what you could see in Agadez, Djenne or Timbouktou!
All streets are roofed! In addition, the rooftops are all connected to allow the women to get around without being seen by men. In the roofs you are in another city of 1001 night…
Enjoy great traditional lunch at a traditionally decorated house, again having completely unique decoration.
In the afternoon head to the dunes by 4x4 vehicles for a beautiful view of the Sahara surrounding Ghadames and watch the spectacular sunset.
Western first visit the curious old ruined castle (settlement) on the top of the hill called Ras Al Hud.
Then proceed 40 minutes to Triangle of 3 countries — Libya, Algeria and Tunis. Thrilling dune safari where we climb by cars the Ghadames dunes (such an experience!) and then walk to the very top of the dunes which are up to 70 meters height. Once on the top, check your GPS, you're already in Algeria!
On the way back we drink traditional tea and try bread freshly baked right in the sand by local Touareg people. The handmade date juice and olive oil is also to be tested at sunset..
Dinner and overnight in Dar Ghadames hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: hotel Dar Ghadames 4*


Day 11. December 7, 2027 (Tuesday). GHADAMES — NALUT — QASR AL HAJJ — TRIPOLI (620 km, 9 – 10 hours driving)

Today we drive north-east, to back from Sahara region to Tripolitania, the fertile area on the Mediterranean coast, in order to reach capital city of Tripoli (620 km, 9 – 10 hours driving).
We pass Jabel Nafusa mountains, reach in Berber culture. We stop to explore Casr Nalut which was used by the Berber people as a granary and even gold deposit. Very nice place to get lost and such a photogenic! There we will see a nice installation made of real tank, as a monument against war.
Lunch time in Nalut, the center of Amazir (Berber) culture.
Then, enroute discover the iconic honeycomb granary Qasr Al Hajj, which has interesting history, very photogenic appearance and curious significance.
Driving via Alazizia, the humble town which was twice recorded to Guinness book! Alazizia is considered a hottest habituated place on Earth, where the temperature once reached +58 degrees Celsius in the shade!
Late arrival in Tripoli. Dinner and night in Cleopatra Hotel 4*.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Cleopatra Hotel 4*


Day 12. December 8, 2027 (Wednesday). TRIPOLI — LEPTIS MAGNA – TRIPOLI – RETURN FLIGHT (240 km, 4 hours driving)

After breakfast, we drive some 120 km east of Tripoli to spend the day exploring the spectacular ruins of Leptis Magna, one of the greatest ancient sites in the world and for sure the grandest archaeological site in the Mediterranean.
Originally a Phoenician trading port during the 7th century BC, it prospered for nearly 1000 years before Vandal invasions and sandstorms led to its downfall. This vast city remained buried for some 1300 years until the 1920s when a significant excavation by Italian and Libyan archaeologists revealed the limestone and marble wonders that we explore today. Leptis Magna is considered the world's best Roman times ruined outside Rome.
Here we explore the birthplace of Emperor Septimius Severus, featuring the massive Severan Basilica, the public baths, Roman market, temples, forums, port, amazing arches and columns with original capitals and bas reliefs. The cherry on the cake is the theatre with smashing view and huge coliseum-like amphitheater.
Lunch served on site.
Drive back to Tripoli. Transfer to the airport of Tripoli in order to catch the evening return international flight.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: no

* Recommended flights from Tripoli:
— Turkish Airlines to Istanbul, departure from Tripoli on December 8 at 19:40, arrival in Istanbul on December 8 at 23:40,
— any flight departing from Tripoli not earlier than at 19:00 on December 8.


* The order of visits and excursions can be modified according to local conditions (i.e. state of roads, security conditions etc.). If some visits and/or tours could not be done due to external conditions, they will be replaced when possible.

** The participant of expedition to Libya must be motivated to be respectful to the culture of local people, be aware of the objectives of the trip and possible program changes depending on weather or road conditions, security conditions and any other reasons, be able to adapt to the new environment and culture.